Brewery Adventures
By David McKinney
Brewery AdventuresFeb 12, 2021
Episode 47 - Bierstadt Lagerhaus
This week Joel from Brewery Travels joins me to talk about Bierstadt Lagerhaus and Denver breweries in general. My wife and I made a trip to Denver for Great American Beer Festival in 2023, and we enjoyed visiting many of the breweries in the Mile High City.
Joel and his family lived in Denver for a few months in 2022 and we discuss what the city means to the beer community as a whole.
Check out more Brewery Adventures here.
You can follow Joel @BreweryTravels.
Episode 46 - Live at Butchertown Brewing
This week I have a very special episode for you. Joel Geier from Brewery Travels and I met up in Louisville to record a live episode on site at Butchertown Brewing. It was the first visit for both of us to the brewery and we gave our full review and of course drank some beer.
Check out more Brewery Adventures here.
You can follow Joel @BreweryTravels. Brewery Adventures is brought to you by Rivalry Brews. Use code “BeersBeards10” on RivalryBrews.com for 10% off your order.
Episode 45 - Penguin City Beer Co. and DOPE Cider
This week I travel to Youngstown, Ohio for a live episode at Penguin City Beer Co. Penguin City co-owner Aspacia Lyras-Bernacki joins me to discuss opening a massive brewery right in the heart of downtown earlier this year, and all of the fun things going on at the brewery including boxing and MMA events, weddings, beer releases, and more. DOPE Cider House & Winery is located in the same building as Penguin City, and DOPE owner Hannah Ferguson joins me as well to discuss her space. Hannah is the first Black female brewer in the state of Ohio and she has big growth plans for her brand.
Check out more Brewery Adventures here.
Brewery Adventures is brought to you by Rivalry Brews. Use code “BeersBeards10” on RivalryBrews.com for 10% off your order.
Episode 44 - New Glarus Brewing Company
This week Joel Geier joins me to discuss Wisconsin's New Glarus Brewing Company. New Glarus was founded in the 1990s and they have grown into the 12th largest craft brewery in the country. They've won 33 medals at the Great American Beer Festival and are generally regarded as one of the best breweries in the US.
Check out more Brewery Adventures here.
You can follow Joel @BreweryTravels. Brewery Adventures is brought to you by Rivalry Brews. Use code “BeersBeards10” on RivalryBrews.com for 10% off your order.
Episode 43 - Stop Talking About the Weather at Fibonacci Brewing
This week, I was on site at Fibonacci Brewing in the Mt. Healthy neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio, as two special guests joined me. First, Fibonacci co-owner Bob Bollas joined me to discuss the history of the brewery and their place in the Cincinnati craft beer scene.
Then, Diana Keller from the Keep Moving Forward Podcast joins me to discuss her podcast, as well as the upcoming release of her book, Stop Talking About the Weather. Diana is hosting multiple book release events at breweries around Cincinnati in the next two months.
Brewery Adventures is brought to you by Rivalry Brews. Use code "MMAMcKinney" on RivalryBrews.com for 10% off your order.
Episode 42 - Stone Brewing and craft breweries that sold out
Craft breweries selling out to "big beer" has been happening for almost as long as long as craft beer has been a thing (check out a timeline here), and Stone Brewing is just the latest in a long line of favorites that did just that.
Stone Brewing was sold to Japanese brewer Sapporo for $165 million just a few weeks ago, and many in craft beer are still digesting the sale.
On this week's episode of Brewery Adventures, Joel Geier joins me to discuss Stone Brewing and breweries that sold out.
We talk a little about the history of Stone, from their beginnings in the 1990s as a fiercely loyal independent brewery to their multiple lawsuits protecting their brand in recent years. Along the way they built some incredible and memorable taprooms, including their locations in Escondido, San Diego, and Richmond. We discuss the locations that we've visited.
We also discuss the beer of course - Stone was a pioneer in bringing the West Coast style IPA to the masses across the country, and their "Arrogant Bastard" was the rude introduction to craft beer for a lot of young, brash drinkers.
We also discuss other craft breweries that "sold out" to the big boys, including breweries like Leinenkugel's dating all the way back to the 1980s. Of course Anheuser-Busch has been a big buyer of craft breweries, including their Goose Island purchase that sent shockwaves through the industry.
A few recent sellouts seem to have gotten passes as drinkers are less harsh on them than the others - we're talking about brands like Bell's, New Belgium, and Lagunitas among others. We discuss why we think some of these brands are still highly regarded while others seem to be put on the back burner.
We also discuss how we handle visiting these non-craft breweries when we plan trips for Brewery Adventures and Brewery Travels across the country. We've both been to multiple breweries that are no longer considered craft, and we attempt to explain our rationale.
Check out more Brewery Adventures here.
You can follow Joel @BreweryTravels. Brewery Adventures is brought to you by Rivalry Brews. Use code “MMAMcKinney” on RivalryBrews.com for 10% off your order.
Episode 41 - Athens, Ohio and Ohio Brew Week
This week, Kevin from Brewhahaing in Ohio join me to discuss the breweries from Athens, Ohio, including Jackie O's, Little Fish, and Devil's Kettle. We also discuss Ohio Brew Week, which happens in Athens every July. You can follow Kevin & Maria @brewhahaing_in_ohio. Brewery Adventures is brought to you by Rivalry Brews. Use code "MMAMcKinney" on RivalryBrews.com for 10% off your order.
Episode 40 - Tröegs Independent Brewing
Joel Geier joins me once again, this time to discuss Hershey, Pennsylvania's Tröegs Independent Brewing. Since being founded in 1996, Tröegs has been a fan favorite and is currently the 24th-largest craft brewery in the United States. You can follow Joel @BreweryTravels. Brewery Adventures is brought to you by Rivalry Brews. Use code "MMAMcKinney" on RivalryBrews.com for 10% off your order.
Episode 39 - Pilot Project and Brewery Incubators
Joel Geier joins me once again, this time to discuss Chicago's Pilot Project Brewing, a brewery incubator. We also discuss other brewery incubators, including District Brew Yards in Chicago. To learn more about Pilot Project, check out this great article on Hop Culture. You can follow Joel @BreweryTravels. Brewery Adventures is brought to you by Rivalry Brews. Use code "MMAMcKinney" on RivalryBrews.com for 10% off your order.
Episode 38 - Esoteric Brewing Co.
This week a very special guest - my wife Angie - joins me for the first time to talk about one of our favorite Cincinnati breweries, Esoteric Brewing Co. Since opening in 2020, Esoteric has become a community hub in the Walnut Hills neighborhood. You can follow Angie @_angiemckinney. Brewery Adventures is brought to you by Rivalry Brews. Use code "MMAMcKinney" on RivalryBrews.com for 10% off your order.
Episode 37 - Planning a Chicago Beer Vacation
This week we switch things up, as two guests join me to discuss the process of planning a beer vacation. We're discussing Chicago in general, and we'll give you tips on how to go about planning your vacation around visiting breweries. Andres Munoz and Joel Geier join me this week. You can follow Andres @BeersWithAndres You can follow Joel @BreweryTravels. Brewery Adventures is brought to you by Rivalry Brews. Use code "MMAMcKinney" on RivalryBrews.com for 10% off your order.
Episode 36 - Deep Ellum Brewing Co.
Joel Geier joins me once again, this time to discuss the first Dallas craft brewery, Deep Ellum Brewing Co. Zillicoah Beer Co. A subsidiary of CanArchy, Deep Ellum has been known for their massive growth, and being a catalyst in the rejuvenation of the Deep Ellum neighborhood. You can follow Joel @BreweryTravels. Brewery Adventures is brought to you by Rivalry Brews. Use code "MMAMcKinney" on RivalryBrews.com for 10% off your order.
Episode 35 - Cleveland's Ohio City
On this week's episode my brother-in-law Joe Saunders joins me to discuss our trip to Cleveland to check out the brewery scene in the Ohio City neighborhood. One of the most densely packed brewery neighborhoods in the country, Ohio City is immensely walkable and also features great restaurants and more. We visited 9 breweries in one day and 13 total over the weekend. On this episode we discuss Saucy Brew Works, Bookhouse, Nano Brew, Bad Tom Smith, Market Garden, Great Lakes, Brick & Barrel, and Forest City, as well as our stops at Collision Bend, Masthead, Noble Beast, Terrestrial, and Hoof Hearted. Brewery Adventures is brought to you by Rivalry Brews. Use code "MMAMcKinney" on RivalryBrews.com for 10% off your order.
Episode 34 - Land-Grant Brewing Company
This week Lucas Augustine from Pint Pals Podcast joins me to discuss Land-Grant Brewing Company. Located in the Franklinton neighborhood in Columbus, Ohio, Land-Grant is one of the most popular breweries in the Buckeye State. You can follow Lucas @pintpalspodcast. Brewery Adventures is brought to you by Rivalry Brews. Use code "MMAMcKinney" on RivalryBrews.com for 10% off your order.
Episode 33 - Dunedin, Florida
On this week's episode we discuss the brewery scene in Dunedin, Florida. Joining me are two Sunshine State residents, Matt Quiggins and Aron Jacques. Matt works for Stilt House Brewery in Palm Harbor and Aron is a bartender at Cueni Brewing in Dunedin. Dunedin is a town of about 35,000 just north of Clearwater, and they feature seven breweries within one square mile. On this episode we discuss Dunedin Brewery, Dunedin House of Beer, Woodwright Brewing Company, 7th Sun Brewing Company, Caledonia Brewing, Cueni Brewing, and Soggy Bottom Brewery. Brewery Adventures is brought to you by Rivalry Brews. Use code "MMAMcKinney" on RivalryBrews.com for 10% off your order.
Episode 32 - Birdfish Brewing Co.
On this week's episode Adam Esker from Rivalry Brews joins me to discuss Columbiana, Ohio's Birdfish Brewing Co. Birdfish is a partner with Rivalry Brews, a company that ships Ohio-made beer across the country. You can follow Rivalry Brews @rivalrybrews. Brewery Adventures is brought to you by Rivalry Brews. Use code "MMAMcKinney" on RivalryBrews.com for 10% off your order.
Episode 31 - Zillicoah Beer Co
Joel Geier joins me once again, this time to discuss Woodfin, NC's Zillicoah Beer Co. Located just 2 miles north of downtown Asheville, Zillicoah has quickly made a name for having amazing views of the French Broad River and producing great lagers and sour beers. You can follow Joel @BreweryTravels. Brewery Adventures is brought to you by Rivalry Brews. Use code "MMAMcKinney" on RivalryBrews.com for 10% off your order.
Episode 30 - Brewery Adventures 2021 Recap
This week I review the 2021 year that was for Brewery Adventures. I talk about a lot of the trips I went on, some great breweries, and my favorite beers of the year. Check out MMAMcKinney.com for the full recap blog. Brewery Adventures is brought to you by Rivalry Brews. Use code "MMAMcKinney" on RivalryBrews.com for 10% off your order.
Episode 29 - 2021 Cincinnati Beer in Review
This week I review the year that was 2021 in Cincinnati Beer. I discuss the year of the taproom, the lone new brewery opening, an old friend expanding, a reopening of a brewery, and lots of medals won by local breweries. Check out MMAMcKinney.com for the full recap blog. Brewery Adventures is brought to you by Rivalry Brews. Use code "MMAMcKinney" on RivalryBrews.com for 10% off your order.
Episode 28 - Against the Grain Brewery
Joel Geier joins me once again, this time to discuss suburban Louisville's Against the Grain Brewery. Against the Grain opened in 2011 and has three locations with a fourth in the works. You can follow Joel @BreweryTravels. Brewery Adventures is brought to you by Rivalry Brews. Use code "MMAMcKinney" on RivalryBrews.com for 10% off your order.
Episode 27 - 2nd Shift Brewing
Brian from ThreeOnePour joins me to discuss 2nd Shift Brewing and the entire St. Louis brewery scene after my recent trip. You can follow Brian @ThreeOnePour. Brewery Adventures is brought to you by Rivalry Brews. Use code "MMAMcKinney" on RivalryBrews.com for 10% off your order.
Episode 26 - Brewery Travels Across America
Joel Geier joins me once again, this time to discuss his recent epic road trip across the US from Milwaukee to California. He visited 47 breweries in 18 states. You can follow Joel @BreweryTravels. Brewery Adventures is brought to you by Rivalry Brews. Use code "MMAMcKinney" on RivalryBrews.com for 10% off your order.
Episode 25 - East Columbus
This week I fly solo to talk about five breweries that I visited during my most recent trip to Columbus, Ohio: Forbidden Root Columbus, Nostalgia, 2 Tones, Crafted Culture, and Edison. Brewery Adventures is brought to you by Rivalry Brews. Use code "MMAMcKinney" on RivalryBrews.com for 10% off your order.
Episode 24 - HiHo Brewing Co.
Rob Tittel from Northeast Ohio Craft Brewery News joins me to discuss HiHo Brewing Co. HiHo Brewing Co. opened in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio in 2017. You can follow Rob's writing ventures with The Flight Crew as well. Brewery Adventures is brought to you by Rivalry Brews. Use code "MMAMcKinney" on RivalryBrews.com for 10% off your order.
Episode 23 - More Brewing Company
Joel Geier joins me once again, this time to discuss suburban Chicago's More Brewing Company. More Brewing opened in 2017 and has locations in Villa Park and Huntley, Illinois. You can follow Joel @BreweryTravels. Brewery Adventures is brought to you by Rivalry Brews. Use code "MMAMcKinney" on RivalryBrews.com for 10% off your order.
Episode 22 - Licking County, Ohio
This week we feature not one, but SEVEN breweries, as I talk about my recent trips to Licking County, Ohio. Brewery Adventures is brought to you by Rivalry Brews. Use code "MMAMcKinney" on RivalryBrews.com for 10% off your order.
Episode 21 - Quattro Goombas Brewery
This week, Reese from The Ginger and The Beard Podcast joins me to discuss Northern Virginia's Quattro Goombas Brewery. Located in Aldie in Louden County, Quattro Goombas opened in 2015 as an extension of the existing winery. You can follow The Ginger and The Beard at theginger_and_thebeard. Brewery Adventures is brought to you by Rivalry Brews. Use code "MMAMcKinney" on RivalryBrews.com for 10% off your order.
Episode 20 - Fat Head's Brewery
This week, Kevin & Maria from Brewhahaing in Ohio join me to discuss Cleveland's Fat Head's Brewery and other breweries from around Ohio. You can follow Kevin & Maria @brewhahaing_in_ohio. Brewery Adventures is brought to you by Rivalry Brews. Use code "MMAMcKinney" on RivalryBrews.com for 10% off your order.
Episode 19 - Dreaming Creek Brewery
This week, Gary Thomas joins me to discuss Richmond, Kentucky's Dreaming Creek Brewery. Gary and I co-host the Beers and Beards Podcast, and Gary also hosts the Close Enough podcast with his wife Abby. Gary joined me to record a live episode of our podcast at Dreaming Creek, which was my 300th brewery. You can follow Gary @gw_thomas. Brewery Adventures is brought to you by CraftBeerClub.com.
Episode 18 - Monday Night Brewing
Joel Geier joins me once again, this time to discuss Atlanta's Monday Night Brewing. Founded in 2010, Monday Night now has two taprooms in Atlanta as well as a brewpub in Birmingham, Alabama. You can follow Joel @BreweryTravels. Brewery Adventures is brought to you by CraftBeerClub.com.
Episode 17 - Books & Brews
Joel Geier joins me once again, this time to discuss Indiana's Books & Brews. Part brewery, part bookstore, Books & Brews has eight locations across the Hoosier State. You can follow Joel @BreweryTravels. Brewery Adventures is brought to you by CraftBeerClub.com.
Episode 16 - North High Brewing
Bill Babbitt from DrinkUpColumbus joins me to discuss North High Brewing. Then, co-founder Gavin Meyers joins me for a discussion on the company's plans for expansion. Founded in 2012, North High Brewing recently opened their fourth location in Cincinnati, a collaboration with COhatch co-working. They also have locations in Columbus, Dublin, and Springfield, along with their production facility in Columbus. Brewery Adventures is brought to you by CraftBeerClub.com.
Episode 15 - Calusa Brewing
This week I fly solo to discuss Sarasota, Florida's Calusa Brewing. Calusa is a highly regard brewery focusing on hop-forward beers, as well as classic styles, barrel aging, and wild fermentation. Brewery Adventures is brought to you by CraftBeerClub.com.
Episode 14 - Mike Hess Brewing
Joel Geier joins me once again, this time to discuss San Diego's Mike Hess Brewing. Known as a pioneering nano-brewery, Mike Hess has grown to include five locations in California. You can follow Joel @BreweryTravels. Brewery Adventures is brought to you by CraftBeerClub.com.
Episode 13 - 450 North Brewing Co.
Craft Beer Joe joins me to discuss 450 North Brewing Co. Located in Columbus, Indiana, 450 North opened in 2012 and has been no stranger to controversy, although they've remained a cult favorite brewery. We discuss all the controversy and more on this week's episode. You can check out all of Joe's information at CraftBeerJoe.com. Brewery Adventures is brought to you by CraftBeerClub.com.
Episode 12 - Braxton Brewing Company
The Gnarly Gnome joins me this week to discuss Braxton Brewing Company. With four locations, Braxton crosses the divide between Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati. You can follow the Gnome at TheGnarlyGnome.com. Brewery Adventures is brought to you by CraftBeerClub.com.
Episode 11 - Southern Grist Brewing Co.
Joel Geier joins me once again, this time to discuss Nashville's Southern Grist Brewing Co. One of the hottest breweries in the Music City, Southern Grist has grown from a small 2,000 square foot space in East Nashville to add a huge taproom and production facility in The Gulch. You can follow Joel @BreweryTravels. Brewery Adventures is brought to you by CraftBeerClub.com.
Episode 10 - Fretboard Brewing Company
Craft Beer Joe joins me to discuss Great American Beer Festival winner Fretboard Brewing Company. Located in Blue Ash, Ohio, Fretboard recently celebrated their three-year anniversary. You can check out all of Joe's information at CraftBeerJoe.com. Brewery Adventures is brought to you by CraftBeerClub.com.
Episode 9 - West Sixth Brewing
Podcaster, writer, and brewery employee Kindsey Bernhard joins me to discuss Kentucky's West Sixth Brewing. With locations in Smithtown, Lexington, Frankfort, and Louisville, West Sixth is one of the longest running Bluegrass State breweries. You can follow Kindsey @KindseyBernhard. Brewery Adventures is brought to you by CraftBeerClub.com.
Episode 8 - Brew Gentlemen
Writer and marketer Hunter Homistek joins me to discuss Brew Gentlemen, a fast-growing brewery located in the Braddock neighborhood of Pittsburgh, PA. They were named as the best brewery in Pennsylvania by Thrillist in 2018. You can follow Hunter's work at Homistek.com. Brewery Adventures is brought to you by CraftBeerClub.com.
Episode 7 - Branch & Bone Artisan Ales
Beer writer and educator David Nilsen joins me to discuss Dayton, Ohio's Branch & Bone Artisan Ales, which was named as one of the 10 Best new breweries in the U.S. by USA Today and as the Best New Brewer in Ohio by RateBeer.com in 2020. You can follow David's writing and beer events at DavidNilsenBeer.com.
Episode 6 - Bottle Logic Brewing
Bottle Logic Brewing is a Great American Beer Festival and Festival of Barrel-Aged Beers winning brewery located in Anaheim, California.
Episode 5 - Brink Brewing Co.
Michael Amann from Adena Distributing joins me to discuss Brink Brewing Co. Located in Cincinnati's College Hill neighborhood, Brink is a two-time winner of the Very Small Brewery of the Year award at the Great American Beer Festival. You can follow Michael and Adena at AdenaBeer.com.
Episode 4 - Burial Beer Co.
Joel Geier joins me to discuss Burial Beer Co., a 10bbl brewery located in the South Slops neighborhood in Asheville, North Carolina. You can follow Joel at TheBreweryTravels.com.
Episode 3 - Urban Artifact
Urban Artifact is a sour-focused brewery that opened in 2015 in the former St. Patrick's Church in Cincinnati's Northside.
Episode 2 - Coppertail Brewing Co.
Coppertail Brewing Co. is a production brewery located in the Ybor City neighborhood of Tampa, Florida.
Episode 1 - Rhinegeist Brewery
Rhinegeist Brewery opened in Cincinnati in 2013 and is the 26th largest craft brewery in the U.S. as of 2020.